A Complete Reading, Speaking & Vocabulary Lesson for Adult EFL Learners
Dreaming of big city lights? You’re not alone.
Over half the world’s population now lives in urban areas — and the number is rising.
Cities promise better jobs, buzzing social scenes, and endless opportunities.
But there’s a hidden cost: your health.
If you’ve ever walked through the smog of Delhi, sat in New York’s traffic jams, or struggled to sleep in noisy London, you already know — city living can wear you out.
From splitting headaches to eye strain, it can take a serious toll.
This lesson explores how urban life affects your body and mind, while building your real-world English. You’ll learn phrasal verbs, adjectives to describe pain, and key health-related vocabulary for everyday conversations.
🌫️ What Cities Are Really Doing to You
Cities offer great things — jobs, education, entertainment, and medical care — but they also come with serious health risks.
Smog and Respiratory Problems
Air pollution is no joke. In some cities, breathing polluted air daily is like smoking a pack of cigarettes for years! The burning sensation in your throat? That’s your body reacting to tiny, dirty particles that cause inflammation and long-term issues like diabetes.
Noise Pollution
Sirens, drilling, honking cars — this noise pollution causes throbbing headaches, chronic stress, and tinnitus (a constant ringing in the ears that doesn’t always clear up).
Allergies & Infections
Crowded places increase your chances of catching infectious diseases, and polluted air leads to stuffy noses and allergies. You might break out in a rash just walking through a park!
Mental Health Issues
City people often report more anxiety, mood disorders, and even skin problems. Being surrounded by stressors all day can really wear you out.
Limited Mobility
Traffic jams mean less walking and more sitting. Long hours staring at screens cause eye strain, and sitting for too long leads to stiff joints and backache.
🗂️ Vocabulary Builder
Phrasal Verbs
• Clear up – When symptoms get better.
• Break out – When rashes or illnesses suddenly appear.
• Pass out – To faint or lose consciousness.
• Wear out – To feel exhausted or extremely tired.
Adjectives to Describe Pain
• Excruciating – Extremely painful
• Mild – Not very strong
• Slight – Very small
• Burning – Hot, stinging pain
• Shooting – Sudden, sharp pain
• Stabbing – Sudden, intense pain
• Throbbing – Pulsing pain
Health Terms
• Splitting headache – Intense, sharp head pain
• Upset stomach – Pain or discomfort in the stomach
• Infectious disease – Easily spreadable illness
• Benign tumor – Non-cancerous growth
• Malignant tumor – Cancerous growth
• Blocked nose / Stuffy nose – Nose congestion
• Eye strain – Tired eyes from screens or lights
🏙️ City vs. Countryside – A Health Showdown
Is country life truly healthier than city life?
In the city, you benefit from fast access to hospitals, reliable public transport, diverse food options, and vibrant culture. But you also face smog, stress, noise, and crowded streets. These can make you feel worn out, affect sleep, and weaken your immune system.
In the countryside, you breathe clean air, live with less noise, and enjoy nature. People often report lower stress levels and better sleep. However, the rural lifestyle may come with fewer doctors, longer travel times, and limited job opportunities.
Most people don’t get to choose. For many, cities are the only place to find work. So, it's less about city vs. country — and more about finding ways to protect your health wherever you live.
🩺 Real Voices: Locals & Expats Speak
Steve, an expat in Delhi:
“I moved from the USA for work and made Delhi my home. I love the energy — but the noise pollution is terrible. I’ve developed tinnitus. Friends have high blood pressure, sleep problems, and feel irritable all the time. My hometown, New York, has stricter laws on construction noise. Delhi needs the same.”
Rati, a Delhi local:
“I love my city, but I know it has health issues. Some say it’s easier to catch viruses here because we live close together — maybe, but at least we have good hospitals. That’s better than walking hours to a doctor in the countryside.”
🏥 What Can Be Done?
Citizens Can
• Wear masks during high-pollution days
• Use earplugs to protect against noise pollution
• Avoid rush hour, or walk when possible
• Reduce screen time to prevent eye strain
• Manage stress through mindfulness and movement
Governments Can
• Restrict unnecessary honking
• Limit private cars per household
• Create noise-free zones
• Improve public transport to reduce traffic
• Offer free fitness programs to fight inactivity
• Reduce light pollution with smart billboard policies
💬 Discussion Prompts
• What health problems are common in your town or city?
• Would you move to the countryside for better health?
• What are your local government’s actions on pollution or public health?
• How do you manage urban stress?
✅ Reading Comprehension Quiz
What does “clear up” mean?
A) To faint
B) To get worse
C) To get better
Which word means very painful?
A) Slight
B) Excruciating
C) Mild
What can “break out” describe?
A) A sudden illness or rash
B) A mild cough
C) A healthy snack
✅ Quiz Answers:
1 – C
2 – B
3 – A
🧠 Reflection
City life may offer convenience, culture, and career growth—but it can also take a toll on your health if you're not careful. Understanding how urban living affects your body and learning how to describe those effects in English is a smart step for any global citizen.
Whether you're navigating smog, noise, or stress, remember: language is power. The more you can express, the more you can protect yourself.
🌱 Stay aware. Stay healthy. And keep growing your English.
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HEY, I’M HENRY
Hi, I’m Henry Lilienfield, a TEFL veteran with teaching experience across China, Taiwan, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, South Africa, and online. With a law degree, two post-grad qualifications in Education Management and Development Studies, and a Level 5 TEFL Diploma, I bring deep knowledge and a practical approach to everything I teach—whether it’s English lessons or how to start your own online teaching business.
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